As an allotment holder myself having had to wait over 3 years to get mine well, I am sick and tired of people not caring for their plots when there are so many people on the waiting list for one. As already mentioned here in the comments section, a couple of hours a week, every week and things become manageable again but if you cannot afford two hours a week please just surrender the plot.
An amazing tool I’ve started using to save the aching in my joints is a digging hoe , a different action but worked the soil a lot easier, my misses is 60 and she couldn’t believe how easier it is for her. They’re used like a long handle pick axe or adze.
There’s plenty of good stuff for the compost or mulch with all those clippings 👍There was a waiting list for our little village site ,I got mine last year and more than half are over grown still a year later, I nearly gave mine up but luckily it’s a short walk and I’ve got used to going regularly just to do a little now I’ve sectioned it off . I’ve sown a load of green manure seeds for now and mulching everywhere I can with clippings I mow up to get some life back in the soil , it had been bare from continued weeding . The soil where I put potatoes Is better because I had mulched over those with compost and clippings etc , many more worms
Decided to give my plot up before I was asked. Just returning back to gardening in my very small garden. Garden was getting neglected. I work full-time, so the weekends were spent at the plot. I needed to do other things. Home things. Plot and garden were then both neglected for a while. So I gave up the plot. Let someone else have a try :-). Felt like a weight had lifted to be fair. I might maybe take on another plot once I retire, as I should then have more time on my hands. I am concentrating on my little garden now. Can't grow lots, but I don't have the pressure. Well done with your decision Ray. Lets see what happens next season x
This was my original plan for when I retire after hearing 10 year waits for plots but suddenly got one in 3 weeks . Good move for you and be good to potter in garden cheers Ray
Such a great way to deal with the stress and anxiety of work but don’t let it overwhelm you if it’s too much work on your own space at home, love watching your videos what ever you decide i will continue to watch your content 👍
Have you considered finding a buddy. My friend started to spend less time at her plot due to ill health and ended up finding a neighbour to share the plot with her to lessen the burden. She still has the say over what gets grown and they sometimes go together but not always. It’s made it so much better to manage and they have become good friends bonding over caring for it. The neighbour had no gardening experience so it became a valuable learning journey for them.
Great progress I’m rooting for you . I think the break from it was what you needed to get you motivated to give it all a big clear out and possibly change around . You can do this
Can you get a strimmer from a fellow plot holder? Invest in more weed suppression fabric and create more paths with wood chip. That looks a lot of work 😮
A couple of hours each visit and you'll get there.... I'm a site rep and in my area if you don't have 75% of the plot cultivated then you are at risk of losing it, but I guess different areas and councils have different rules. Good luck with yours.
75% rightly so too. There is a huge queue of people on waiting lists who would make good use of these unloved plots. It really grinds my gears to see a plot as over grown as this.
It can be disheartening to have neglected plots around if you are working your plot and surrounded by neglect and weeds. I am worrying a bit that I won’t be able to keep up the plot I have just taken on as I will have to rely on my special person to take me and bring me back so I will need to be very disciplined with making sure I get there as often as I can. If your life is too full at the moment can you honestly keep yours going and enjoy it? 🤔
Keeping an allotment is a massive challenge and even more so when you have a young family and not much time... Dealing with slugs eating everything and caterpillars munching on your brassicas then the dreaded blight that gets your toms and potatoes. Not to mention the relentless weeds. It's tough but only the strong minded succeed.
I had to wait 8 years for my plot and people like you infuriate me. You're obviously not interested in growing veggies for yourself or it would be full of veg by now like mine is. Just admit you've fell out of love with it, so give it up to someone who really wants it.
As an allotment holder myself having had to wait over 3 years to get mine well, I am sick and tired of people not caring for their plots when there are so many people on the waiting list for one.
As already mentioned here in the comments section, a couple of hours a week, every week and things become manageable again but if you cannot afford two hours a week please just surrender the plot.
An amazing tool I’ve started using to save the aching in my joints is a digging hoe , a different action but worked the soil a lot easier, my misses is 60 and she couldn’t believe how easier it is for her. They’re used like a long handle pick axe or adze.
Great to hear!
There’s plenty of good stuff for the compost or mulch with all those clippings 👍There was a waiting list for our little village site ,I got mine last year and more than half are over grown still a year later, I nearly gave mine up but luckily it’s a short walk and I’ve got used to going regularly just to do a little now I’ve sectioned it off . I’ve sown a load of green manure seeds for now and mulching everywhere I can with clippings I mow up to get some life back in the soil , it had been bare from continued weeding . The soil where I put potatoes Is better because I had mulched over those with compost and clippings etc , many more worms
That is awesome!
Decided to give my plot up before I was asked. Just returning back to gardening in my very small garden. Garden was getting neglected. I work full-time, so the weekends were spent at the plot. I needed to do other things. Home things. Plot and garden were then both neglected for a while. So I gave up the plot. Let someone else have a try :-). Felt like a weight had lifted to be fair. I might maybe take on another plot once I retire, as I should then have more time on my hands. I am concentrating on my little garden now. Can't grow lots, but I don't have the pressure. Well done with your decision Ray. Lets see what happens next season x
This was my original plan for when I retire after hearing 10 year waits for plots but suddenly got one in 3 weeks . Good move for you and be good to potter in garden cheers Ray
Such a great way to deal with the stress and anxiety of work but don’t let it overwhelm you if it’s too much work on your own space at home, love watching your videos what ever you decide i will continue to watch your content 👍
Good job ray well done mate 🤝
Thanks 👍
Have you considered finding a buddy. My friend started to spend less time at her plot due to ill health and ended up finding a neighbour to share the plot with her to lessen the burden. She still has the say over what gets grown and they sometimes go together but not always. It’s made it so much better to manage and they have become good friends bonding over caring for it. The neighbour had no gardening experience so it became a valuable learning journey for them.
Love your videos Ray, chin up, you’ll get there!
Great progress I’m rooting for you . I think the break from it was what you needed to get you motivated to give it all a big clear out and possibly change around . You can do this
Yes! Thank you!
With waiting lists as they are people really should be taking care of them of course unless.they are recovering from illness
Unfortunately there is always empty plots that are not wanted or worked whilst people are looking for a garden who live in flats
you have to keep on top of your plot or oi goes out of control, your lucky to have a good tunnel. you will be there for years with that cutters 🙂
The tunnel is the bonus
Nice work
Thank you! Cheers!
Thank you! Cheers!
Can you get a strimmer from a fellow plot holder? Invest in more weed suppression fabric and create more paths with wood chip. That looks a lot of work 😮
I have taken down the new petrol mower and started to mow the grass. the plan is to make some raised beds down the end Cheers Ray
A couple of hours each visit and you'll get there.... I'm a site rep and in my area if you don't have 75% of the plot cultivated then you are at risk of losing it, but I guess different areas and councils have different rules. Good luck with yours.
75% rightly so too. There is a huge queue of people on waiting lists who would make good use of these unloved plots.
It really grinds my gears to see a plot as over grown as this.
Nice work mate
Our plot holders get 2 weeks before a letter then a month before eviction unless you have told committee about illness for example.
that is
interesting cheers
Be careful lad, don't overdo it. Little and often wins the race ....
It can be disheartening to have neglected plots around if you are working your plot and surrounded by neglect and weeds. I am worrying a bit that I won’t be able to keep up the plot I have just taken on as I will have to rely on my special person to take me and bring me back so I will need to be very disciplined with making sure I get there as often as I can. If your life is too full at the moment can you honestly keep yours going and enjoy it? 🤔
keep up the good work
Keeping an allotment is a massive challenge and even more so when you have a young family and not much time... Dealing with slugs eating everything and caterpillars munching on your brassicas then the dreaded blight that gets your toms and potatoes. Not to mention the relentless weeds. It's tough but only the strong minded succeed.
Pottering around doing odd jobs here odd jobs there get the job done quicker - I find
After 14yrs I think I’m giving up my allotment and will try grow at home. The weeds this year have been on steroids😂
Everybody on the allotment site has said what a bad year this year is. I have several pots at home growing so worth a try.
Perhaps split the plot in two? Looks like a lot of work!
He already has halved the size of his plot, maybe he's too busy with work.
Dawn raid. Claim it was no mow May 😂
I had to wait 8 years for my plot and people like you infuriate me. You're obviously not interested in growing veggies for yourself or it would be full of veg by now like mine is. Just admit you've fell out of love with it, so give it up to someone who really wants it.